“But what’s the connection between Ann and Price?” Trage wasn’t buying it.
“Ann was killed in the same hotel where the others murders took place,” Cindy answered plainly. “From what I can gather, most people think those killings were connected to big business.”
“Conjecture,” Trage mumbled. “No evidence of that.”
“Did anyone talk to Evan Price about the hotel murders?” asked Cindy.
“In fact, we did,” said Trage. “If you look through the files you’ll see he was interviewed by us several times. He’s actually been up on charges a few times for other things, as well. The guy never gets caught for anything, though. Price is a smooth operator if ever there was one. He’s meticulous, too, nothing passes him by.”
“What was he been up on charges for?” Cindy was fascinated.
“The usual,” Trage answered slowly, “tax evasion, bribery. Someone went missing a year ago, and he was charged for that as well. The charges never came to anything, though. Exactly how could there be a connection between him, in particular, and your sister’s murder?”
There wasn’t any connection that Cindy knew of, but, judging by how disturbed Trage was, it was something Cindy definitely had to explore.
“I really need to know how exactly how you heard of him, Cindy,” Trage became adamant.
“One of Ann’s friends has an uncle who works for him,” Cindy replied. “Price’s name came up on Ann’s Facebook page.”
“That’s all you got?” Trage sounded suspicious.
“That’s enough,” Cindy replied edgy.
“It’s nothing,” Trage answered quickly, “you know how many people work for him, one way or another? This is an international hedge fund.”
“Now he sounds like someone I definitely need to meet,” Cindy answered briskly.
“Explore what you want,” said Trage quickly. “But, believe me, you’re wasting your time.”
“Got any other ideas?” asked Cindy, “I’m open for anything you can suggest.”
“Talk to your brother in law,” Trage finally grumbled. “If someone’s got the key, he does. He was with your sister right before she was murdered. He knew her, he knows her friends. I believe he holds the answers.”
Cindy felt furious. “I talked to him already, he doesn’t have anything,” Cindy responded sharply, as the two of them hung up at the very same moment, annoyed.
*
“There was no reason for you to upset Trage,” Mattheus said when he returned and Cindy told him what had happened.
“I didn’t upset Trage, the mention of Evan Price did,” Cindy replied. “I didn’t even know Evan Price was someone I should interview until I saw how upset it made Trage.”
“They police had their hands full with the hotel murders,” Mattheus chimed in. “They probably don’t want to dredge up more confusion now.”
“Mattheus,” Cindy suddenly felt razor sharp focus, “The police have already interviewed Price. He’s told them his story. Trage just didn’t like it that I found out about Price by myself. He doesn’t want me talking to him. There’s got to be a reason why.”
“How did you find out about the guy?” Mattheus asked.
“Randomly,” Cindy replied, “completely by chance.”
“There’s no such thing as random in a murder investigation,” Mattheus commented. “If something comes to your attention, there’s a reason why.”
“I found Price’s name on Ann’s Facebook page,” Cindy remarked hesitantly.
“That’s weird,” Mattheus was surprised.
It suddenly struck Cindy how weird it was, too. What were the chances that a possible link to Ann’s murder would be casually mentioned on her page a few days before she died?
“Who posted it?” Mattheus was alerted.
“It was casual,” Cindy insisted. “One of Ann’s friends, Loretta posted it when she heard Ann was coming down here for vacation. She mentioned in passing that her uncle had a yacht down here and worked for a big business guy, Evan Price.”
“Have you called Loretta?” Mattheus asked.
“Of course I haven’t,” said Cindy.
“What do you mean of course? Why not?” Mattheus was perturbed.
“I’m not ready to tell the whole world Ann has died,” Cindy suddenly cried out.
“I understand, I understand,” Mattheus put his hand on Cindy’s arm tenderly.
“That would make it too real,” Cindy felt like sobbing. “Then Ann’s life would be over, her friends would be gone.”
“I’ll call Loretta for you,” Mattheus said. “Let me handle it.”
“Not yet, it’s too much,” Cindy breathed. “We don’t need Loretta’s uncle anyway, I can connect with Evan Price directly.”
“That’s tricky,” Mattheus proclaimed. “And potentially dangerous as well.”
“Maybe it is, but so what?” said Cindy. “What else do we have?”
“I’ll go with you to see him then,” Mattheus relented.
“No, not this time,” said Cindy firmly. “Price will feel less threatened if I see him by myself. This is something I’ve got to do alone.”